Apparatus for cutting and storing a cigarette

Abstract

An apparatus has a housing that has a first section and a second section. The first section has a first compartment for storing a cigarette and a second compartment for containing a cutting device having a blade. The first compartment is sealed from the second compartment. A slide button on the housing allows the user to move the cutting device within the second compartment. The second section has an opening and a hollow interior that are sized to allow a user to insert a portion of a cigarette through the opening and into the hollow interior. A user inserts the used portion of a cigarette into the opening and hollow interior and then uses the slide button to move the blade into the hollow interior to cut off the used portion of the cigarette. The user then places the remaining portion of the cigarette in the first compartment.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for cutting away a used portion of a cigarette and storing the remaining portion of the cigarette, comprising:
 a housing comprising:
 a first housing section having a first compartment for storing a cigarette and a second compartment that is separate from the first compartment, the first housing section having a first end that has an opening to allow a cigarette to be inserted into or removed from the first compartment, the first housing section further comprising a second end that is opposite the first end, wherein the second end closes off the first compartment and has a passageway in communication with the second compartment, the first housing section comprising an exterior wall having an opening that is located between the first and second ends of the first housing section and which is in communication with the second compartment; 
 a second housing section joined to the second end of the first housing section, the second housing section comprising a front portion having an opening, a rear portion having an opening, and a hollow interior located between the openings of the front and rear portions, wherein the openings provide access to the hollow interior, wherein the openings and hollow interior are sized to receive a cigarette; 
 
 a cutting device movably positioned within the second compartment, wherein the cutting device can move in a first direction toward the first end of the first housing section or in an opposite, second direction toward the second end of the housing, the cutting device comprising a blade that passes through the passageway of the second end and enters the hollow interior of the second housing section when the cutting device is moved in the second direction; 
 a button positioned on the first housing section and having a portion that extends through the opening in the exterior wall in the first housing and is connected to the cutting device, wherein the button allows a user to move the cutting device in the first and second directions; and 
 wherein when a user desires to cut off a used portion of a cigarette, the user inserts the used portion of the cigarette through the opening of the front portion of the second housing section so that the used portion of the cigarette enters the hollow interior and protrudes from the opening of the rear portion of the second housing section, and then moves the button so that the cutting blade enters the hollow interior and cuts off the used portion of the cigarette, and wherein the user then stores the remaining portion of the cigarette in the first compartment. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a cap attached to the first end of the first housing section, the cap having a crease and a movable portion that pivots about the crease, the movable portion pivoting between a closed position to close the opening to the first compartment and an opened position that provides access to the first compartment. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a cover having a hollow interior sized to receive the entire second housing section, the cover being slidably attached to the second housing section, wherein a user can slide the cover between a first position to completely conceal the second housing section and a second position to expose the second housing section. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 3  further comprising means for preventing the cover from sliding off the second housing section. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 4  further comprising means for guiding the cover as it moves upon the second housing section. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second compartments are in juxtaposition. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising means for connecting the slide button to the cutting device. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the cutting device comprises a blade holder and a blade attached to the blade holder. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the opening in the exterior wall of the first housing section is a longitudinally extending opening. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the cutting device has a portion thereof viewable and accessible through the longitudinally extending opening in the exterior wall of the first housing section. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the button is a slide button. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the slide button is located on the exterior wall and positioned over the longitudinally extending opening. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the slide button comprises a rear side and a protrusion on the rear side, and wherein the exterior wall has a detent sized for receiving the protrusion so that the slide button does not move on its own when the protrusion is located within the detent. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein the detent is located in proximity to the longitudinally extending opening.